We Are Family in Eastern North Carolina
Woods Grove Church sits along Central Heights Road in Goldsboro, North Carolina, drawing families from Wayne County and across the surrounding region, including La Grange, Snow Hill, Kinston, Rosewood, and Pikeville, with ties into Greene, Lenoir, and Johnston Counties. Conveniently located off Highway 70 East Bypass and Highway 13, the church also welcomes those connected to nearby Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The congregation's motto, “We are Family,” captures the spirit of a body that has worshipped on the same piece of land since the 1880s and that now opens its doors to anyone looking for an authentic, Christ-centered community.
From 1885 to Today: A Century and Forty Years on the Same Acre
In May 1885 a group of dedicated believers decided to build a House of Worship that would give them a permanent place to gather. On March 15, 1886, Mr. James M. Wood and his wife Emma deeded one acre of land to the church, and Woods Grove began the task of building. The first structure was a 28 by 32 foot building, soon enlarged to 28 by 52 feet as God blessed the work. From that day, Woods Grove has remained a vital part of the community. To that long story the body of Christ at Woods Grove simply says, “To God be the glory.”
A Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Heritage
Woods Grove Church identifies with the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist denomination, the tradition behind its full doctrinal statement. The mission is simple and threefold: Exalting God in Worship, Equipping People through Discipleship, and Evangelizing the Community. Six core values shape life here: Doctrinal Purity, Worship, Discipleship, Servanthood, Relationship, and People. The church believes the Bible to be the inspired word of God, infallible and an all-sufficient guide in faith and practice; that there is one God eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, who died for our sins, was buried, raised from the dead, ascended to heaven, and now intercedes at the Father's right hand; and that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, making repentance necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
Open-Worship That Blends Hymns and Praise
Woods Grove describes its services as Open-Worship that celebrates the congregation's history by weaving together Hymns of Faith and Praise and Worship. The Music Ministry, led by Tracey Grady, draws on a Sanctuary Choir, a Praise and Worship Team, a Special Singers Team, a Sanctuary Band, and a Teen Team. Members love to sing the great hymns that tell of the power and grace of God, the worship songs that detail an intimate relationship with a loving Lord, and the contemporary songs that push believers toward deeper questions and new commitments. There are times of joyful praise and times of somber reflection, all offered as a gift of music to God.
Sundays and Wednesdays at Woods Grove
The weekly rhythm centers on two gatherings. Sunday School and Small Groups meet at 9:30 AM for all ages, followed by Morning Worship at 10:30 AM. On Wednesday nights, Bible Study, Amplify Kidz, and Magnify Student Ministries all begin at 7 PM. A staffed nursery is open at every service, and Pre-Children's Chapel for ages 3 to 5 along with Children's Chapel runs during the 10:30 AM Sunday service, except on the fifth Sunday of a month.
Children, Students, and a Nursery That Welcomes the Youngest
The Amplify Kidz ministry serves children ages 6 to 12 with a high-energy atmosphere and a relevant presentation of God's Word that promotes Christ-likeness. Families check children in upon arrival to maintain safety standards, and staff keep open communication with parents throughout the service. Magnify Student Ministries reaches out to ages 13 through 19; the name expresses the group's desire for God to be made bigger and more relevant in each teenager's life. Magnify meets Wednesdays at 7 PM for youth worship that includes food, fun, fellowship, and devotion from God's Word. The student ministry runs its own teen band and plans concerts, retreats, summer conferences, outings, fundraisers, and outreach projects throughout the year. The nursery, staffed by workers who love and care for each child, is open at every service so parents can worship with peace of mind.
Men's, Women's, and Senior Fellowships
The Men's Fellowship gathers on the last Saturday morning of each month at 8 AM in the New Fellowship Hall for a hearty breakfast and a word aimed at helping men navigate the stresses and complexities of modern life. Mike Gurley leads the group, which anchors itself in Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Women's Ministry, led by Shirley Murphy, Nancy Scott, and Nellie Carter, meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 PM in the fellowship hall for devotion, refreshments, community outreach, and friendship. Young At Heart, the senior ministry for adults age 60 and older, meets on the second Tuesday of each month for luncheons, trips, special events, and Christian service. A Young Adult Bible Study led by Brandon and Casey Vinson gathers on selected Saturdays for fellowship and study.
Pastor Barry and Cathy Teague
Pastor Barry Teague has served in ministry for many years in North Carolina and believes in the mission of Woods Grove to exalt God in worship, equip people through discipleship, and evangelize the community. His wife, Cathy, supports all of the ministries at Woods Grove and serves alongside the Music Ministry. Together they extend a warm welcome: “If you are looking for a warm friendly church where folks love people and God, stop by. Come Grow With Us.”
What a First-Time Guest Can Expect
Friendly greeters stand at each doorway to direct families to the right department, and arriving a few minutes early gives newcomers time to fellowship before the service. The Open-Worship service blends Hymns of Faith with Praise and Worship led by the praise team and followed by the choir. Dress is whatever a guest feels comfortable in: jeans, casual, business casual, or business dress. Children's facilities sit in the New Fellowship Hall next to the Sanctuary, and newborns and toddlers can be taken to the nursery next to the Sanctuary. Once children are safely signed in, families proceed to the Sanctuary for worship.
A Church Rooted in Scripture, Open to All
Woods Grove Church exists to help each generation know the Savior in a personal way and to spread His love through a lifestyle of worship, a hunger for God's truth, and a passion for giving lives away for His kingdom. The congregation's passion is to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving. Whether young or old, just exploring faith or rooted in it for decades, anyone who walks through the doors is welcomed as family in Goldsboro.